Photos from a broad

2012-01-30T10:06:00.001-08:00

On the way to Sebastapol this weekend with a friend, I noticed all these cool outcroppings dotting the landscape. I've been to this corner of Northern California before, but don't recall these rocks. With the hillside so lush and green after our single winter rain (not good, global warming), the effect with these big stones gave the scene a distinctly Scottish highlands look-and-feel. Or, the way I imagine the Scottish highlands to look and/or feel.

Beautiful photograph. Beautiful country.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - nxtrFOTO - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Sonoma, California ★
Photo courtesy of nxtrFOTO

2012-01-28T16:16:00.001-08:00

Thinking of Syria today and the future of children like these two lovely girls, and all of the people who have been senselessly killed there in recent days and months by their government. I hope peace and justice come swiftly.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Free Syria - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Syria ★
Photo courtesy of Free Syria

2012-01-26T10:44:00.001-08:00

To experience the finest Roman ruins in the modern Mediterranean, one has to get to Leptis Magna - an UNESCO World Heritage site - in Khoms, Libya. Yes, Libya.

"The city, which was constructed during the reign of Augustus and Tiberius but which was entirely remodelled along very ambitious lines under the Severan emperors, incorporates major monumental elements of that period. The forum, basilica and Severan arch rank among the foremost examples of a new Roman art, strongly influenced by African and Eastern traditions."

And judging from this single stunner of a snap, Leptis won't let you down. While I don't have the courage at present to get to Libya, I am thankful that others do so that I might enjoy sites like this through their eyes. And one day, surely, I'll get there and see these incredible ruins myself, sharing my pictorial memories with others who haven't been yet or may not ever go, themselves.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - David & Bonnie - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Leptis Magna, Libya ★
Photo courtesy of David & Bonnie

2012-01-25T12:50:00.001-08:00

I'm missing the Côte d'Azur today, so here we are in Grasse. I had the pleasure of visiting Grasse for the first time last fall and fell full on for its gritty charm. It seems one of those cities on the cusp of being great again. Lots to renovate and spruce up, but bustling and beautiful despite the way many of its shady streets and buildings exude a neglectful decay. I really liked it. Particularly the charming old details like this period advertisement. Fantastique.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Daria Angeli - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Grasse, France ★
Photo courtesy of Daria Angeli

2012-01-24T14:32:00.001-08:00

"Coco always sat at table eleven and everyone at Angelina knew her. The establishment opened for business in 1903 under the name Rumpelmayer but Coco would've been too poor to go there then. It became her refuge late in life, in the 1950s, when a quiet cup of hot cocoa was a daily ritual."
- David Downie, Paris, Paris

Not only did I not know that Angelina's was one of Coco's haunts, I had no clue it opened under another name. Merci, David Downie! I did, however, know that it's a great hot chocolate spot. Yes, the last time I went I saw a mouse. And yes, I know it's not the *best* hot chocolate the city has to offer. But I don't care. I still love it, the chocolat chaud is damn thick and delicious, and I will always return. You can't stop me.

And how lovely is this portrait of the old girl, by the way. Right?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Beryl Byrd - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Beryl Byrd

2012-01-23T15:48:00.001-08:00

Happy Year of the Dragon!

I love this painterly dragon dance, "A blended image made from 9 separate still images taken in rapid succession with a handheld camera." Beautiful work.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Tony Kemplen - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Sheffield, England ★
Photo courtesy of Tony Kemplen

2012-01-22T22:58:00.001-08:00

I decided to go to Shenzhen today, because I wanted to see something of daily life in this sprawling Chinese metropolis that manufactures so much of what we in the West consume in the way of high tech treats. An important city that so few Westerners have heard of. Thanks today to Mr. Daisey, I now know Shenzhen and a little bit about what exactly goes on there in firms like Foxconn that makes iPods, iPhones, and other handmade products. Oh yes. Handmade. Apple *could* sell its wares on Etsy, or didn't you know?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Rock_Reborn - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Shenzhen, China ★
Photo courtesy of Rock_Reborn

2012-01-21T16:25:00.001-08:00

Hello, happy place! Can't wait to meet you, in person. What an incredible shot! I never thought I'd say this, because all the pretty pictures of Santorini feature solid blue skies, but here's hoping for at least one day of delicious clouds on my trip, this spring. Makes for an amazing mood, as this inspiring image demonstrates beautifully.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Deborah Sandidge - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Oia, Santorini (Greece) ★
Photo courtesy of Deborah Sandidge

2012-01-20T12:14:00.001-08:00

My 2011 trips to the Italian and French Rivieras have now come and gone (and I'm still in the process of processing all the pretty pictures; taking my time to prolong the pleasure). But now I have the most amazing of destinations to look forward to: Santorini! I've never been to Greece and have dreamed of seeing Oia and its famous sunsets with my own eyes since, well, since I saw my first snapshot of this fabled island. Trips do come true, and I can't wait for this one, this spring. While I pass the days in between, it's breathtaking pictures like this one that inspire me to be there, explore, and find my own timeless vantage points to immortalize via my Nikon.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - aleycla - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Fira, Santorini (Greece) ★
Photo courtesy of aleycla

2011-11-19T08:45:00.001-08:00

For all you Paris-bound shutterbugs out there, I have a few hot tips to share for getting the best shots as you explore the storied City of Light. Bon voyage and happy snapping!

2011-09-20T14:52:00.001-07:00

This is just the sort of scene I'm looking forward to exploring with my own camera this fall. Can't get enough of those eye-popping colors and architectural details that you just don't typically find here in California, where I'm from.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Jacques Bruylands - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Vieux Nice, France ★
Photo courtesy of Jacques Bruylands

2011-09-18T09:35:00.001-07:00

I'm not usually a fan of HDR - it typically looks fake and overdone, to me - but this example is superb! Love the processing and composition of this street scene from Old Nice. And as I'll be there later this fall, a real inspiration. Can't wait!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Pierre Turtaut - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Vieux Nice, France ★
Photo courtesy of Pierre Turtaut

Stumble: Venice, Italy

2011-09-05T15:54:00.001-07:00

Hello there! Long time, I know. But I think that what with life so busy these days, I'm going to try something new with this blog, rather than allow it to whither and die on the vine. So now, rather than relying on finding the free time to surf and favorite Flickr images to post, I'm going to mix in the fixin's here with links to incredible images or relevant virtual vacation content that I StumbleUpon. Do you Stumble? If not, you should try it. It's wild, crazy fun! And quite popular, here in the States. I can totally see how folks end up addicts. But anyway, for our first adventure, allow me to whisk you away to a foggy night in Venice. Let's Stumble!

2011-08-19T11:50:00.001-07:00

Happy World Photography Day! In celebration of the day, I've chosen this incredible image to share with Vivaca fans. Isn't it mesmerizing? I can't stop staring at it, and I bet you can't either!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - AppuruPai - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Tokyo, Japan ★
Photo courtesy of AppuruPai

2011-08-14T10:11:00.001-07:00

In planning a trip to Santorini for next spring, I've been doing a fair bit of Flickr-ing to scout the island from home. Outside of Santorini's charming white-washed walls and sweeping sea and sunset views, I'm most looking forward to meeting and making images of its furry, four-legged locals. I think cats are incredible, majestic creatures, and the smaller the sweeter. So it's no wonder that I find this "Family Kiss" by Ben Heine particularly remarkable. As photos of cats go, it's just wonderful - the cat's meow! Makes me all the more excited to get to Greece next year.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Ben Heine - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Santorini, Greece ★
Photo courtesy of Ben Heine

2011-07-31T13:27:00.001-07:00

"I'd like this to be my kingdom," a thirty-year resident told me several years ago as we stood on his second-floor étage-nobile balcony ... The square seems to breed such undemocratic sentiments, inspired, perhaps, by the dramatic views from on high. It's as if the architects had drawn their plans with condescension in mind. - David Downie

Even though I well know that this is prime Paris real estate, I feel very much at home in the Marais and in the Place des Vosges in particular. It seems that everyone does. Or at least in contrast to the colder and grandiose four-sided spectacles like Place Vendôme.

I learned a lot today about my beloved Place des Vosges on David Downie's historical tour but one bit did cause me to gasp a little [or, okay - a lot] - the realization that, "the weathered 'brickwork' on closer inspection turns out to be cheap trompe-l'oeil plaster applied to wood." Say it ain't so! But that said, it's clearly no less lovely than if it weren't a facade.

Location: Paris, France ★

2011-07-26T12:42:00.001-07:00

Oh, delight! Looking for photos of Nice, I somehow stumbled upon hein1234's delicious stream of images taken with a Hasselblad 500c and Kodak Portra 400 film. I'm so glad there are still folks out there shooting film. The resulting images are so wonderful in a way that is still different and special as compared to digital, though it's getting harder and harder to discern.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - hein1234 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Bangkok, Thailand ★
Photo courtesy of hien1234

2011-07-21T19:37:00.001-07:00

What a bummer! A friend and I have been excitedly planning a trip to Santorini for next spring, and one of the many things that we were looking forward to was exploring the island by scooter. Neither of us has ever driven a scooter before, and in reading up on this mode of transpo for Santorini, it appears not to be the place for amateur-hour first-timers like my friend and I. It even sounds dangerous for the seasoned pro. Apparently the roads are quite perilous and locals drive them pretty hard and fast, resulting in a rather high incident of accidents for all. So thank you, but we'll stick to walking and the island's public bus system, or a taxi ride if we're really feeling rich and lazy.

But damn. When I see beautiful photos like this of adorable Vespas on cobbled Greek roads, I can't help but be tempted all over again, despite the danger.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - NewGirlonPost - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Fira, Santorini (Greece) ★
Photo courtesy of NewGirlonPost

2011-07-20T19:25:00.001-07:00

"...take a guided tour. This can turn mystery into mere history, but it's the only way to get inside the sole townhouse whose interior is accessible to the public, the Hôtel de Lauzun." - David Downie

I think Mr. Downie has perfectly captured one central aspect of my aversion to guided tours. On a tour, mystery is nearly always transformed into a sterile or sobering dose of history.

For this reason, it was particularly refreshing to read about the Hôtel de Lauzun (or Lausun) long after I'd visited Paris and photographed its pretty portal, simply because it is pleasing to the eye. It has been much more enjoyable, I think, to have spent a great deal of time fantasizing about the building's past rather than knowing something of it outright. Though now that I do know a bit of its history, I am happier for it.

So perhaps on my next visit to Paris I'll take that guided tour and learn a little more.

Location: Paris, France ★

2011-07-16T09:21:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to my visit to the French Riviera later this year, I got lost in Carson Ting's lovely stream of holiday snaps from Nice. This one in particular caught my eye as it's market day today in my neck of the woods. As nice as our farmers markets are in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'd rather be at this one right now, in the South of France!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Carson Ting - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Nice, France ★
Photo courtesy of Carson Ting

2011-07-14T17:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Bastille Day!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Holy Chic - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Holy Chic

2011-07-01T22:27:00.001-07:00

I'm a sucker for wrought iron hearts. And shadows in bright sunlight.

Location: Portovenere, Italy ★

2011-06-30T21:29:00.001-07:00

As with most old architecture from Europe and around the world, I am moved by how colorful a whole town or architectural style can be. What happened to that? At least, speaking on modern architecture in the United States, in general. Whether residential or commercial spaces, the color palette you often find in the U.S. is so drab, inside and out. To say nothing of the dull architecture itself. I don't want white walls unless their crisp and complimented with deep and dreamy blues, as you'd find in the Cyclades (Greece). Give me yellow stripes, pinks, and pastels any day!

Sori at left, Lerici at right.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

To compliment the colorful villages that dot the sea- and hillsides, Liguria is lush with green, green, and more green, as far as the eye can see. Or so it seems.

The cliffs surrounding Camogli at left, garden-loving Portovenere at right.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-28T20:38:00.001-07:00

One of the many reasons that I avoid summer travel in Europe is because I hate crowds. Hate, hate, hate. I don't like fighting through throngs of tourists in an effort to try and enjoy my time abroad. This isn't to say that you won't still encounter a madhouse in the more popular cities or spots, but I promise you it will be far less mad than during high season. The proof is in the pictures.

Boat service between the Cinque Terre towns and some of the other picturesque fishing villages along this sunny swath of Italy typically starts in late spring and runs through the summer. But demand in spring can be pleasantly low. I was on this afternoon ferry from Lerici to Portovenere at like, three o'clock in the afternoon or so? And I was one of maybe four or five passengers total, tops. It was fantastic! A front and center window perch all to myself.

And that's Tigre there, at the bottom. Miss you, Tiger. Love to think about how much fun you must be having this summer, meeting and greeting the throngs at your little intersection.

Location: Portovenere, Italy ★

2011-06-27T21:39:00.001-07:00

Step right up! From big sets to small, Liguria is sea of stairs.

The town of Sori on the left, Riomaggiore on the right.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-26T10:42:00.001-07:00

Liguria is a riot of light and dark, of wide open spaces and narrow lanes. I love the contrasts it offers.

The beach at left is Bonassola, and the passageway on the right is one of Genoa's famous caruggi or tiny alleyways. It is said that Genoa has the largest labyrinth of these medieval old streets in all of Europe.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-25T22:02:00.001-07:00

Probably the most popular of the Cinque Terre towns with Americans, Vernazza is jam-packed with tourists during the day. I hear it's nicer at night when the majority retire to other towns, but I wouldn't know because I've never stayed that long. I just can't handle the throngs. The town is too tiny on the main drag to really enjoy with the number of visitors it routinely packs in.

I think Rick Steves is pretty much to thank for its popularity. At least with the American set. His guidebooks are the most used in Europe by Americans, I believe.

Location: Vernazza, Italy ★

2011-06-24T23:23:00.001-07:00

One of the prettiest sunsets I've seen in the flesh.

Location: Camogli, Italy ★

2011-06-23T21:31:00.001-07:00

I can't stress enough that if you're headed to Liguria and want to enjoy it to the full, your legs and overall stamina had better be in top form. Liguria is the land of stairs, and they be no joke folks. That said, the payoff if you can hang is high. And on high! The views from the top are always amazing.

That's lovely Lerici on the left and my favorite Camogli on the right.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-22T23:32:00.001-07:00

I love old Italian walls. From left to right: Tellaro, Portovenere, and Sarzana.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

One of the ornate Palazzi dei Rolli that I strolled through, adorned wall-to-wall with paintings pint-sized to palatial.

Location: Genoa, Italy ★

2011-06-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

Listed as one of i borghi più belli d'Italia - the most beautiful villages of Italy - Campo Ligure is certainly that. Though I only spent about 30 minutes wandering around the old town center, I was instantly smitten and look forward to returning when I'm healthy and don't have to rush back to my hotel to rest and dose up on cold meds.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-19T11:33:00.001-07:00

Another peek at Rolli Days, when Genoa's many pretty palaces - the UNESCO recognized Palazzi dei Rolli - were open for all to explore and enjoy, gratis.

Location: Genoa, Italy ★

2011-06-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

Liguria definitely has flower power. From left to right, the towns of Sarzana, Lerici, and Portovenere. Divine, right?

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

Still on the topic of trompe l'oeil, the most enchanting applications aren't hidden behind palace doors. Instead you can find them outside, gracing the exteriors of traditional residential buildings and churches throughout the region.

The example on the left was a pleasant surprise after a long climb to the top of Sori, and the two on the right are in equally steep and soulful Camogli.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-16T22:44:00.001-07:00

Liguria has some of the loveliest examples of trompe l'oeil anywhere, with some of the most breathtaking specimens found in the plethora of 16th and 17th-century palaces lining Genoa's grand old town boulevards.

I was lucky enough to be there this May for Rolli Days, when La Superba opens its many UNESCO World Heritage Palazzi dei Rolli to host special art installations, live music and theatrical performances, and guided tours. All free to the public. It was fantastic. I was in trompe l'oeil fresco-ceiling heaven, as pictured.

Location: Genoa, Italy ★

2011-06-15T20:58:00.001-07:00

Pretty Sarzana was prettiest in pink. What I wouldn't give to have a window like that on the world.

Location: Sarzana, Italy ★

2011-06-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

Though I'm generally not a fan of organized religion, I am a huge fan of churches - mainly of the external architecture, but sometimes the internal art and architecture, too. And while I'm not enough of an architecture buff to know for certain, it seems that as striped churches in Italy go, Liguria is the place to go to find the most magnificent variety.

The black-and-white striped church on the right is in the Cinque Terre town of Monterosso. A busy and well-touristed town, it seems a challenge to get a moment alone with this charming church during normal business hours, so to speak. I was in a thick crowd of gawkers on a weekday in May when I snapped this shot.

In contrast, the church on the right in Camogli is delightfully difficult to reach, and I was entirely alone with it. I'd spotted it on its hilltop perch from much lower down in town, and asked a group of local men how I might get up there. They pointed out the route and explained that it was connected to a monastery.

The next week I promptly got sick and all but gave up on seeing the church up close on this visit to Italy. But, by the grace of God perhaps, I felt strong enough on my last day to make the trek. I did it in honor of my youngest brother, who I'd found out a day or two before was in the hospital with a mysterious and virulent pneumonia. I'm agnostic, so I thought it would be nice to make the climb and say a prayer for him on the off chance that it might actually help.

I'm happy to say that two weeks later, my brother was released from the hospital to recover at home. He's still recovering and I like to think that in some small way, my visit to this pretty, sunny-striped church and the prayer I said for him there is part of why he's cruising comfortably back to good health now.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-13T21:14:00.001-07:00

"Ciao, Tigre!" said a man with affection, clearly a local resident intimately familiar with the friendly striped beast before him, as he crouched down to give Tiger a little love. Tiger pranced up to the man excitedly and relished in the attention. That's Tiger in the top shot, sunning himself and his ample amber belly.

Though I only spent about 15 minutes with him, Tiger regarded me as an old friend. Seems he treats everyone like that, locals and visitors alike.

I met him standing at the center of a heavy pedestrian intersection in pretty Portovenere, meowing enthusiastically and physically blocking people's paths in an attempt to get them to slow down and spend some heavy-petting time with him. The absolute sucker for cats that I am, I happily stopped and stayed a while.

Tiger's stone cousin there in the bottom shot is one of the two lovely lions gracing the entrance to San Lorenzo Cathedral in Genoa's enchanting old town. I'd have to compare photos, but I think these San Lorenzo lions look uncannily like the one standing at attention outside the Arsenale in Venice. Both have the identical sad, stressed out countenance, as if they're on the verge of tears. Same sculptor with the odd ability to make stone cats cry?

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-12T09:25:00.001-07:00

No, I did not have the "Hamburger Salad". But yes, I considered it. Briefly. I mean, so far as I know, you can't get such a thing Stateside.

As a self-taught calligrapher (who's not done much calligraphy in a long while), I love poring over other people's handwriting. So it figures that I'd have a thing for photographing handwritten menus. In the menu on the right, I particularly like the look of enoteca. How about you?

Location: Monterosso (Cinque Terre), Italy ★

2011-06-11T10:07:00.001-07:00

This was essentially the weather for the duration of my two-week trip (Camogli on the left, Monterosso on the right, shot on the same picture-perfect day). Sadly, I only really got out and about for week one, as I spent pretty much all of week two sick with a nasty cold. The first week was so amazing though, as you can see, that I can't complain about lost week two photo opps. Plus, the second week was too hot to explore much, with temperatures rising into the 80s and feeling like it was well into the 90s. The first week was perfect - low to mid 70s every day.

Location: Liguria, Italy ★

2011-06-10T20:55:00.001-07:00

For those of you who admired the shadow of the laundry hanging out to dry in yesterday's post, here's the bigger picture. There's the colorful laundry line and just to the left of where the guy in red is sitting is where my guy in blue was standing and posing for his portrait.

Location: Camogli, Italy ★

2011-06-09T22:05:00.001-07:00

I met this dapper gent on the first day of my trip in my favorite Ligurian fishing village, Camogli. Our conversation was entirely in Italian, so it was entirely a miracle that we seemed to be having a conversation at all. I didn't catch his name, but did learn that he is a transplant to Camogli from Abruzzo, after the war, which I gathered to be WWII. We marveled at the perfect weather that morning and he wondered how Camogli could be in any way superior to California. I assured him that in many more ways than one, it was. He didn't seem convinced. Perhaps if my command of Italian wasn't so limited I could have swayed him.

For the next little - or long - while, since I've been so badly neglecting this blog, I'm going to post a photo a day - I hope - from my recent trip to Liguria. This is good incentive for me to slowly go through my photos and share pieces of the experience publicly. I'd normally whip everything into an immediate post-trip blog post on Notes but life is so busy lately that I just can't make that happen. Plus, it'd be nice to share bits of my journey without the pressure to compose a more journalistic detailing of events. I'll save that for later when I truly have the time. And I don't necessarily want to make available or feel that these image are ready for purchase, so my Fotomotologue is also the wrong place to publish them at present. So in the meantime, I hope you enjoy a look at Liguria here, day by day (or as close to day by day as I can manage), as seen through my eyes this spring.

Location: Camogli, Italy ★

2011-05-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

Wow. Searching images of Noli on Flickr, I was swept away by this beautiful shot of the Med, and it was a good way into my serene staring that I noticed the guy rock climbing! Wow! Looks precarious, to say the least! Great photo though. So many wow-worthy layers.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - firefox319 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Noli, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of firefox319

2011-05-08T12:29:00.001-07:00

Alas, life has been far too busy lately. Not enough time for so many things, including this beloved blog! But finally I've found a moment to post a pretty picture. In this case, an enchanting image of Camogli. One of the towns that I am thrilled at the thought of revisiting on my trip to Italy later this year.

While there are so many magical towns and villages dotting this strip of the Italian coast, Camogli is undoubtedly one of the loveliest. Words and images don't do it justice. To truly appreciate its charm and beauty, you've simply got to get there and experience it firsthand for yourself.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - luca.martellucci - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Camogli, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of luca.martellucci

2011-04-19T10:08:00.001-07:00

One of the many places and churches I'm looking forward to seeing and swooning over in person this year, in Liguria.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - 3 gigio - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Celle Ligure, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of 3 gigio

2011-04-03T08:31:00.001-07:00

Lindsey has captured the magic of Paris and of Rue Montorgueil here, magnificently. I find this picture particularly charming for its focus on the woman with her back to us and the rest of the frame softly melting into thin air. The viewer is left to dream into sharp focus who these people are, what they're talking about, where they're going ...

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - LostNCheeseland - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of LostNCheeseland

2011-03-29T14:52:00.001-07:00

Hello, heaven.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - tania-60.c - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Fruttuoso, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of tania-60.c

2011-03-16T14:19:00.001-07:00

Thinking of Japan. Hoping, wishing, and praying for all those waiting to be rescued, looking for loved ones, in need of first aid, shelter, food, water, clothing, a hot shower ...

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Shin Noguchi - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Tokyo, Japan ★
Photo courtesy of Shin Noguchi

2011-03-10T12:01:00.001-08:00

Love the Lensbaby action. Love the vantage point and composition. Love Venice.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - patti | dearmissdoll - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of patti | dearmissdoll

2011-03-09T10:15:00.001-08:00

The Cattedrale and Piazza di San Lorenzo is one of the places in Genoa I'm most looking forward to visiting - and photographing - this spring. Man. What I couldn't give to be there for the next pillow fight! Looks like far too much fun.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - ^JAN^ - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Genoa, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of ^JAN^

2011-03-07T12:14:00.001-08:00

I was in the mood for a little good graffiti today. This did the trick. Love this artist's style.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - gsz - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: NYC, USA ★
Photo courtesy of gsz

2011-03-03T11:03:00.001-08:00

What a lovely sunrise, and a lovely painting. Dreamy!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Nickinta - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Kauai, Hawaiian Islands ★
Photo courtesy of Nickinta

2011-03-02T13:52:00.001-08:00

I agree with the photographer's caption: Boo!!!!!! Because while this *looked* cool - we all watched in awe from our office windows downtown - what an assault on the environment. I hope the city of San Francisco fines the company responsible for this stupid, stupid marketing madness.

Update: The balloons are soy-based and 100% biodegradable. But, unless they bio-degrade in an hour, the point has been completely missed by those who hatched this dumb idea. More here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - brothergrimm - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Francisco, CA ★
Photo courtesy of brothergrimm

2011-02-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

All I know is I did a search on 'Paris' and this popped up. And so glad it did!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the videographer - L'Ogre - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this song or video beyond what you've shared on Vimeo that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of L'Ogre

2011-02-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

Space hoppers in Venice!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the videographer - bayougirl - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this video beyond what you've shared on Vimeo that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of bayougirl

2011-02-21T11:14:00.001-08:00

This is Oia, where all those sun-lovers were watching the transformation from day to night. As picturesque perches go, from which to enjoy the day and watch the sun set into the ocean, I mean, really. Does it get any more dreamy than this?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Studio Reklamy Faster - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Oia, Greece (Santorini) ★
Photo courtesy of Studio Reklamy Faster

2011-02-16T13:53:00.001-08:00

What a happy sun-soaked group of gawkers. Love this shot! Looks crazy amazing. The light is incredible. I've always wanted to know what *this* view looked like. You only ever see shots of the pretty sunset vista on Santorini, and never all the people congregating to watch it.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - caleb bennett - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Oia, Greece (Santorini) ★
Photo courtesy of caleb bennett

2011-02-10T10:19:00.001-08:00

Like a window to a dream. Love it.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - dashaboo - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of dashaboo

2011-02-08T08:33:00.001-08:00

Paris, je t'aime.

Beautiful photo. Not sure if it's early morning or evening, but no matter. Lovely, lovely, lovely all the same.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - janellep - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of janellep

2011-02-07T17:46:00.001-08:00

I think I did about six loads of laundry this weekend. It wasn't this picturesque though. not even vaguely.

Ah, Venice. I miss you.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Jeremy Snell - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Snell

2011-02-04T17:36:00.001-08:00

While I would never forgo the experience in person, I must say that this is about as up close and personal as I was able to get with The Coronation of the Emperor and Empress on my own visit to Versailles, too.

Thankfully, I now have Google Art Project at my fingertips and art-loving disposal. I can zoom in and enjoy this masterpiece in crazy-amazing detail, as can you. This or any number of other works in a growing online collection from 17 world-class museums and counting.

Hurrah for high-tech!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - | Warren Martil | - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Versailles, France ★
Photo courtesy of | Warren Martil |

2011-01-31T12:16:00.001-08:00

Thank goodness that portions of Tutankhamun's treasured tomb artifacts are traveling now on exhibition to other museums around the world, and not at home in Egypt. Given the chaos there and the fact that - as happened in Iraq - museums are being vandalized or looted (albeit at the hands of government-sponsored thugs - ugh), it seems a blessing that these spectacular and priceless pieces of Egypt's history are safely abroad. For the moment.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - debbieaspin - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Manchester, England ★
Photo courtesy of debbieaspin

2011-01-29T17:20:00.001-08:00

When my brothers and I were kids, more than a few people asked my mother if we were Yemeni. And then in junior high school I met a girl who actually was from Yemen. And I didn't think we looked remotely alike, but seeing these kids in this beautiful photograph, I do see a resemblance.

Recent events in the Middle East have me reading up more on the region, and I learned that Yemen is the poorest country in the area. Nearly half of all Yemenis live on less than $2 a day.

I have a friend who's vowed she'll never visit Israel so long as its treatment of Palestinians remains unchanged. She doesn't want to support current policy there with her tourism dollars. I'd really like to see Israel, North Africa, and other parts of the Middle East. But after reading articles like this one from 2009 on Dubai, I am conflicted.

I don't know. Smiling faces like these and the opportunity to make connections with people and exchange ideas and something of one another's culture seems more important, to me.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - .ash - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Hajjara, Yemen ★
Photo courtesy of .ash

2011-01-28T11:34:00.001-08:00

As the Egyptian people continue to protest and call for political change, my thoughts are with them and others in the region who have been inspired by recent developments in Tunesia. May the demonstrations be peaceful, and may the outcome democratic.

I love the color and calm of this Felucca sailing down the Nile. This is just the sort of picturesque moment I hope to experience one day, on my first visit to Egypt. Seeing Egypt has been a lifelong dream. I very much look forward to that future trip.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Matt Champlin - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Aswan, Egypt ★
Photo courtesy of Matt Champlin

2011-01-26T17:47:00.001-08:00

Inspired by the last image in Nichole's Paris Purple post, I thought a little trompe l'oeil was in order today. Love this one. Brilliant!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - R H Kamen - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of R H Kamen

2011-01-25T10:39:00.001-08:00

What can I say about this photo, other than I think it's fantastic? The colors, the composition, the aloha. It's a beautiful photos and it makes me smile. How can you not look at it and feel happy? Fantastic, fantastic shot.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Kanaka Menehune - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii ★
Photo courtesy of Kanaka Menehune

2011-01-24T14:09:00.001-08:00

Looks cozy. Love the colors.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - g@-s - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Treviso, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of g@-s

2011-01-23T08:48:00.001-08:00

Last night I caught a half-hour program on "The 13 Wonders of Spain" where this particular installment was all about Tarragona. I've been to Tarragona, and I didn't like it. And after seeing this show about it, I can't figure out why I didn't like it! I think it was my fault. I went on a day trip from Barcelona and didn't know a thing about the city or its history and I both went without a map and didn't pick one up. I literally just wandered around, which can sometimes be a fine way to discover a place, but clearly it wasn't right for my visit to Tarragona on that particular trip. I shall return. It looks, on second viewing, amazing.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Charlie Manton - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Tarragona, Spain ★
Photo courtesy of Charlie Manton

2011-01-21T15:08:00.001-08:00

What an installation! Is that a painting? Whatever it is, I love it. And this photo, as well. The composition with the silhouettes is just wonderful. A work of art in itself!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Lemoox - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Lemoox

2011-01-20T10:07:00.001-08:00

There really isn't a corner of the European continent that I'm not interested in visiting, I think. And Latvia is definitely on my list. I don't know how I stumbled upon "The Three Brothers" - the oldest complex of domestic dwellings in Riga - this morning via Flickr, but I first found a painting of the buildings and then did a search to see the real thing. Sold. Based on this and other photos I found, I would go to Riga in a heartbeat. Looks 100% lovely.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - matteo_dudek - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Riga, Latvia ★
Photo courtesy of matteo_dudek

2011-01-19T10:24:00.001-08:00

Listening to the coverage of the political turmoil in Tunesia, I sincerely hope that in the years to come the Tunesian people will be able to enjoy a more free and democratic government and society.

Like many Americans and citizens of the world caught up in their own lives and national politics, I was completely clueless with regard to what the Tunesian people were suffering under the former dictator and his wife, and her family.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Slim Letaief - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Tunis, Tunesia ★
Photo courtesy of Slim Letaief

2011-01-17T12:00:00.001-08:00

It's difficult not to find yourself caught up with Camogli like a fish in the net. All of Italy, all of Liguria is special, but Camogli has a little something extra, if you ask me. Can't wait to get back there and explore again.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - perypezye - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Camogli, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of perypezye

2011-01-16T09:50:00.001-08:00

I love a curvaceous coastline.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - LaTraveNell'Occhio - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Cefalù, Sicily ★
Photo courtesy of LaTraveNell'Occhio

2011-01-15T17:48:00.001-08:00

Of the many wondrous places in the world I'm dying to see, Petra is in the top ten. No question.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - aussieontour - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Petra, Jordan ★
Photo courtesy of aussieontour

2011-01-14T09:41:00.001-08:00

Fog is a fun feature of where I'm from, too (the San Francisco Bay Area).

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Jared Ropelato - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: San Francisco, CA ★
Photo courtesy of Jared Ropelato

2011-01-13T10:02:00.001-08:00

I love me some nebbia (italiano for fog). There's nothing more magical, in my humble opinion. And looks perfect for this bike ride!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - deangeli.federica - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Genova, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of deangeli.federica

2011-01-12T10:40:00.001-08:00

As always, I wish I could capture a place with style, charm, and (most importantly) a vague likeness with something other than a camera. I can't draw. I can't sketch (is sketching drawing?). And I sure as heck can't paint. But thank goodness there are folks out there who can. What a wonderful way to travel and remember the world. Watercolors like this are my favorite. So lovely.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - rufusdos - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: London, England ★
Photo courtesy of rufusdos

2011-01-09T11:43:00.001-08:00

I could really go for a gondola ride today.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - carol.fletcher - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of carol.fletcher

2011-01-08T09:55:00.001-08:00

It isn't often, but sometimes I do miss Los Angeles. To be clear, I do not miss living there, but there are pockets and facets of Tinsel Town that remain near and dear to my heart after living there for five formative years of my young adult life.

For example, the many Palm-peppered lanes and large boulevards one finds throughout L.A. and Southern California in general. Reaching to the sky, such streets are viewable from pretty much anywhere on high, and even more magical from a lower vantage point, as captured in this pretty picture.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - jean luc dushime - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Santa Monica, California ★
Photo courtesy of jean luc dushime

2011-01-01T08:51:00.001-08:00

Happy 1-1-11! May all your dreams come true in 2011.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - gfabbri - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of gfabbri

2010-12-26T12:02:00.001-08:00

Cat-loving Venophile (Venice! Not wine. But wine is fine, in its own right.) that I am, I can't wait to meet this majestic guy outside San Lorenzo church. Maybe I can cheer him up.

I like the framing on this photo. Every other picture of this lion features the church of San Lorenzo that he's guarding, in the background.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Accidental Hedonist - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Genova, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Accidental Hedonist

2010-12-25T18:31:00.001-08:00

H A P P Y H O L i D A Y S - wherever you are. It's a cold and wet Christmas where I am, and not nearly so beautiful as Venice in the rain, or with acqua alta (high water). Lovely photo. Wishing I were in Venice (as most always)!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - alex_david - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of alex_david

2010-12-23T07:18:00.001-08:00

I hear that the snow is melting in Paris and the rain has returned. It seems that no matter the weather, the city is perpetually picture perfect. What a place.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - oblivion14/Victor - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of oblivion14/Victor

2010-12-22T07:55:00.001-08:00

In looking for windows onto Genova, I happened upon this charming street scene. And indeed - sembra Genova ma ... it's in France!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - robramond - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Briançon, France ★
Photo courtesy of robramond

2010-12-21T07:03:00.001-08:00

So, rather than make Camogli my home base on the Italian Riviera, I'm going with Genova. I was reading that it has the largest, most labyrinthine old town in Europe and I was instantly sold. After looking at a few inspiring pictures, like this one, I know I've picked the right city.

Though while wandering by day should be bliss, wandering the old town after dark is not advisable. The poorly lit, long and confusing old town streets are a good place not to get lost when the sun goes down. If you value your safety; same as in most major metropolitan areas anywhere, the world over.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Lorenzo X - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Genova, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Lorenzo X

2010-12-20T07:14:00.001-08:00

Lately I've just been surfing Google's map of Liguria, floating down the coast and searching on one town after the next. Looking for *that one pretty picture* that will inspire me to make the day trip and see what there is to discover with my own camera. Thanks to this beauty, Sarzana is definitely on my list of day trip destinations.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Mattjr - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Sarzana, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Mattjr - photo

2010-12-19T17:59:00.001-08:00

Glorious photo. I can't wait to be there and snap some of my own.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - tripleman - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Riomaggiore, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of tripleman

2010-12-16T11:26:00.001-08:00

My trip to Camogli is finally coming together. It's going to be glorious and dreamy, just like this photo!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - .in a good star. - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of .in a good star.

2010-12-14T12:17:00.001-08:00

Man down! Man down!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - . ADRIEN . - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of . ADRIEN .

2010-12-12T16:49:00.001-08:00

Love the snow. Love the light.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - foxprince_elliot - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of foxprince_elliot

2010-12-11T18:43:00.001-08:00

Love! What I wouldn't give (god but I overuse that phrase and on this blog, in particular) to spend a White Christmas in Paris.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - hotaru_nyc - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of hotaru_nyc

2010-12-10T10:22:00.001-08:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ...

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - CharlotteCharlotteM - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of CharlotteCharlotteM

2010-12-07T13:31:00.001-08:00

What I wouldn't give to be able to take today off and spend it wandering around the Louvre. Or hanging about outside. Even in the cold.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - jaseNZ - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of jaseNZ

2010-12-04T11:11:00.001-08:00

After a much needed winter break, I'm back. Though not from Paris. Now that would have made for a nice break. Even with the snow!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - @rgs - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of @rgs

2010-11-17T20:13:00.001-08:00

In a word - wow.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - pixelhut - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Moscow, Russia ★
Photo courtesy of pixelhut

2010-11-15T10:36:00.001-08:00

I went to the Post-Impressionist exhibit at the de Young Museum recently, and was not impressed. Then I happened upon The Art of the Steal on Netflix - streaming - and was blown away by the Post-Impressionist works in The Barnes Collection. Oh em gee. Now there's a bounty of beautiful works. And as fascinating as the collection is, the story behind it is even more riveting.

If you've not seen The Art of the Steal, please fix that. And pronto. Even if you're not an art-lover, it's a mind-boggling story about a man, his personal property, his wishes for that property after his death, and the way those with money and power - and non-profits, no less - have sought and succeeded in getting their mitts on what's not theirs.

And I always thought for-profit corporations were the shameless sharks in the water. Ha!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - RasMarley - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Merion, Pennsylvania ★
Photo courtesy of RasMarley

2010-11-11T10:28:00.001-08:00

What a perfect and picturesque choice for Veterans Day.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - KAP'n Craig - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin ★
Photo courtesy of KAP'n Craig

2010-11-10T10:14:00.001-08:00

Oh, what I wouldn't give to be able to draw like this.

Taking trip pics is plenty fine and dandy, but what I really crave are personalized, hand illustrated impressions of the places I've been. And since I can't draw to save my life, I have to rely on the impressions of others over that of my own.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - nnie - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of nnie